Public and School Holidays

Public and School Holidays

Public Holidays

There are 11 in France. These are the 1st January, the 1st and 8th May, Easter Monday, Ascension day, Whit Monday, the 14th July, the 15th August, the 1st and 11th November and the 25th December. On these days Government Departments, banks, shops … are, in the main, closed. Most stores and businesses close on public holidays, but a majority of museums monuments, and restaurants remain open, or only close on certain holidays. Ask your hotel concierge or local tourist office for information and recommendations.

French schoolchildren and teachers have five holidays a year!

One week at the end of October, two weeks at Christmas, two more in February, two in spring, and the whole of the summer in July and August.

Please be aware that tourist sites as well as the roads are busier during these periods.